Michael Winslow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Michael Winslow |
|
---|---|
![]() Winslow in 2008
|
|
Birth name | Michael Leslie Winslow |
Born | Spokane, Washington, U.S. |
September 6, 1958
Medium | Stand-up, film, television, radio, voice-over |
Nationality | American |
Years active | 1980–present |
Genres | Beatboxing, character comedy, physical comedy, improvisational comedy |
Subject(s) | Pop culture, American culture |
Spouse |
Belinda Church
(m. 1985; died 1993)Angela Baytops
(m. 1997; div. 2001)Sharon Winslow
(m. 2003; div. 2014) |
Children | 2 |
Notable works and roles | Comedy Sound Smackdown Larvell Jones in Police Academy Radar Technician in Spaceballs |
Michael Leslie Winslow (born September 6, 1958) is a super talented American actor and comedian. He's famous for making amazing sounds with just his voice! People call him The Man of 10,000 Sound Effects because he can create so many realistic noises. You might know him as Larvell Jones from the Police Academy movies. He also appeared in Spaceballs and many other films and TV shows.
Contents
Early Life and Sound Skills
Michael Winslow was born in Spokane, Washington, in 1958. He grew up near an air force base. When he was a kid, Michael didn't have many friends. To keep busy, he would practice making sounds. He could copy engines, animals, and all sorts of noises!
This special talent helped him earn money performing in clubs. Eventually, he moved to Hollywood. There, he shared his amazing sound skills with more people. He even went to the Lisa Maile School to learn more about acting.
Michael's Amazing Career
Michael first showed off his talents on a TV show called The Gong Show. He impressed everyone by making sounds like the movie dog Benji. He also imitated sounds from Star Trek and even a Jimi Hendrix song.
Starring in Police Academy
Michael is best known for playing Larvell Jones in the Police Academy movies. He was chosen for the role after someone saw him perform before a Count Basie concert. He appeared in all seven Police Academy films. He also starred in the Police Academy: The Series TV show.
Beyond Police Academy
In 1985, Michael released a song called "I Am My Own Walkman." It was a hit in Australia! In 1986, he even presented an Academy Award for Best Sound Effects Editing. He played Spencer on the TV show The Love Boat that same year.
Michael also appeared in the movie Spaceballs in 1987. He played a radar operator. In one scene, he made all the sound effects himself! The director, Mel Brooks, said Michael saved the movie money by doing this.
Modern Appearances and Apps
Michael continues to perform stand-up comedy around the world. He also hosted a TV series called Way Back Wednesday with Winslow. This show featured movies from the 1980s.
In 2010, Michael launched his own iPhone and iPod Touch apps. One app, ThatsKungFu, made kung fu fighting sounds when you moved your device. Another app, NoizeyMan, had videos, ringtones, and games made by Michael.
He also provided all the sound effects for a mobile game called Wizard Ops Chapter 1. Later, he worked on its follow-up, Wizard Ops Tactics. You might have seen him in a commercial for GEICO Insurance too.
In 2020, Michael was a guest star on the show Game Changer. He won an episode in 2021! The same year, he auditioned for America's Got Talent. He showed viewers how he makes his famous noises.
In 2022, Michael was featured in a popular YouTube video called "Video Game Sound." This video introduced his amazing work to many video game fans.
Film and Television Roles
Michael Winslow has been in many movies and TV shows. Here are some of them:
Year | Title | Role |
---|---|---|
1980 | Cheech & Chong's Next Movie | Welfare Comedian |
1981 | Underground Aces | Nate |
1981 | Nice Dreams | Superman Nut |
1981 | Space Stars | Plutem (voice) |
1982 | Tag: The Assassination Game | Gowdy |
1982 | Heidi's Song | Mountain (voice) |
1984 | Police Academy | Cadet Larvell Jones |
1984 | Alphabet City | Lippy |
1984 | Gremlins | Mogwai / Gremlins (voice) |
1984 | Grandview, U.S.A. | Spencer |
1985 | Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment | Officer Larvell Jones |
1985 | Starchaser: The Legend of Orin | Voice |
1986 | Police Academy 3: Back in Training | Sgt. Larvell Jones |
1987 | Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol | Sgt. Larvell Jones |
1987 | Spaceballs | Radar Technician |
1987 | Three Crazy Jerks | Walker |
1988 | Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach | Sgt. Larvell Jones |
1988 | Starke Zeiten | Mike |
1988 | Buy & Cell | Sly |
1988 | Three Crazy Jerks II | Ronny |
1989 | Police Academy 6: City Under Siege | Sgt. Larvell Jones |
1989 | Think Big | Hap |
1990 | New Kids on the Block | Voice |
1990 | Far Out Man | Airport Cop |
1990 | Going Under | Reporter |
1993 | Extralarge | Dumas |
1994 | Police Academy: Mission to Moscow | Sgt. Larvell Jones |
1995 | Be Cool about Fire Safety | |
1997-1998 | Police Academy: The Series | Sgt. Larvell Jones |
1999 | Lycanthrope | Lee Davis |
1999 | Michael Winslow Live | Himself |
1999 | The Blur of Insanity | Horner's Friend 2 |
2000 | He Outta Be Committed | Jeremy |
2001 | The Trumpet of the Swan | Chief (voice) |
2002 | The Biggest Fan | Officer Man |
2004 | Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas | Pedestrian (voice) |
2005 | Lenny the Wonder Dog | John Wyndham |
2006 | Robot Chicken | Sgt. Larvell Jones |
2008 | The Great Buck Howard | Himself |
2008 | Redirecting Eddie | Vaughn |
2009 | RoboDoc | Dr. Murphy |
2010 | The History of the Typewriter recited by Michael Winslow | Himself |
2010 | Tosh.0 | Himself |
2013 | Blunt Movie | Coach Al Jefferson |
2013 | Gingerclown | Stomachcrumble |
2013 | Late Night with Jimmy Fallon | Himself |
2015 | Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No! | Brian Jonesy Jones |
2015 | Lavalantula | Marty |
2016 | Enter the Fist and the Golden Fleece | The Argonaut |
2016 | Characterz | Police Detective |
2016 | 2 Lava 2 Lantula | Marty |
2015 | The Jack and Triumph Show | Himself |
2016 | Renaissance Man | Mike |
2016 | Hospital Arrest | Judge Collaway |
2017 | Killing Hasselhoff | Himself |
2020 | Game Changer | Himself |
2020 | A Wrestling Christmas Miracle | Judge Collaway |
2021 | America's Got Talent (Season 16) | Himself |
2021 | Todd | Jake |
2022 | Video Game Sound | Himself |
See also
In Spanish: Michael Winslow para niños